Verse one states, "In the spring, at the time when Kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king's men and the whole Israelite army."
David, as King of Israel, should have been in the battle, instead of hanging around the confines of his palace. When we should be in the battle for people's lives, who are dying around us and headed for a Christless eternity, we end up hanging around our "pleasure pits". Then we become vulnerable to sin.
As you read through these three chapters in David's life, you will see that he did three things that dragged him into sin. He probably did not plan out the upcoming scenario, but one sin led to another, and soon he was in over his head.
Sin has a way of doing that to us. Most of us who are attempting to live for the Lord do not do a lot of "premeditated sin", but if you want to see how sin progresses, you may refer to James 1:13-16. Sin starts with the temptation. Then we face the big crossroads. Give in, or turn around and run from it. James says when we give in, we are "dragged away and enticed". Then when the whole cycle comes about, "desire has conceived and gives birth to sin, and sin when it is full-grown, gives birth to death." He admonishes us, "Don't be deceived, my dear brothers."
David's next mistake was consciously disarming himself as he walked around on the roof. He chose to stay up there after he saw that pretty lady. He could have turned around and went back down the stairs, but he chose not to do that. Convenient circumstances put him up on the roof, when he should have been in the battle with his soldiers.
Then David sent someone to find out about her. The messenger told him she was a married woman, but he chose to enter the next phase of sin in his life, that of a conducive atmosphere. The Bible does not give us the picture or narrative of what happened when Bathsheba was approached by David's messenger, but perhaps we can imagine what transpired that day.
Of course Bathsheba was probably not a dumb woman, and I suspect she knew David lived next door, and any woman who is bathing outdoors has to know that others could see her. Her first meeting with David was probably very "electric". Here is a woman, being wooed by royalty, and she must have certainly known of the possible outcome if she went to David alone in the palace. As the wife of one of David's top men, she must have had other close lady friends who could have gone with her. But she chose not to do that. The conducive atmosphere was ripe with electricity as these two engaged in "getting to know each other" conversation. I am sure David was reminded several times by the Lord that this was wrong. God in His wisdom chose not to give us the "rest of this story", but only summarized it with "she came to him, and he slept with her."
And then the cover-up begins. Thus began the downward spiral of David and his family. You know that God can forgive us of the penalty of sin, but He does not erase the consequences. Sin, according to James, in the first chapter, brings forth death. And as you read the narrative in 2 Samuel, you will see that not only did the baby die, that David and Bathsheba created, but also Uriah, Bathsheba's husband died, and eventually several of David's children died an early death. You see my friend. God is a just God and a righteous God. In Ezekiel God makes the statement, "Be sure that your sin will find you out". Truer words were never spoken. We cannot hide from God.
It is a good thing to remember that most sin occurs in our lives when we get ourselves into one of these three areas.
If you will think about your journey into some sin, you will probably find you have ventured into one of these three areas.
So how do I apply this truth to my life? First I memorized those three phrases. Next I asked God to remind me when I was about to get myself in hot water. Last, I asked a friend to hold me accountable for several areas of my life that I was struggling with sin. I asked him to check up with me on a regular basis and ask me point blank how I was doing with those areas.
So in conclusion, God does not tempt us but it is the evil one who does that. We do not have to submit to sin. God will always make a way to escape. He promised that to us in 1 Corinthians 10:13. Ask God to make us aware when we are headed into sin's path. And last, but not least, seek out a friend to help you maintain integrity and honesty in the area in which you are struggling.
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